TuneTracker™ QuickTip

A Very "TuneTracker" Christmas

As we think ahead to the Christmas season, it seems like a great time to look at ways you can use the TuneTracker System to make the holidays brighter for both you AND your listeners!

This is the first of several quick-tips showing you how to take advantage of the TuneTracker System's programming power this yuletide.

Using PlayFolder as a Production-Saver

The PlayFolder feature in TuneTracker System is a terrific timesaver when running specials. Rather than producing all the elements of a radio special together, just dump all of their parts into a folder and have TuneTracker System do the work for you!

Scenario: You have agreed to play a syndicated Christmas program off CD, and have managed to sell some ads or underwriter's announcements in the show. You have ripped the tracks off the syndicated CD, and have all the other elements in-hand, such as show open, ads, program segments, and maybe a few PSAs or promos you want included in the show.

Here's what to do:

1. The left and right arrow buttons let you flip through pages and pages of MyShow buttons, all configured exactly as you want them.
2. Create a new folder and name it as you please. In our example, we created a folder called "AmyGrantChristmas" and put it in the home folder, which is located on your desktop.
   
   
   
3. The left and right arrow buttons let you flip through pages and pages of MyShow buttons, all configured exactly as you want them.
4. Drag all the programming elements into the newly-created folder. If any of those same audio files are needed at other times, copy them, rather than moving them, into the folder.
   
   
   
5. The left and right arrow buttons let you flip through pages and pages of MyShow buttons, all configured exactly as you want them.
6. Rename the files you have placed in the folder, putting numbers at the front of the file names indicating in the order you'd like them run in, so they look something like this:
   01_Open.wav
   02_Bill's Grocery.mp3
   03_Segment 1.aiff
   04_Frizzit Salon.mp3
   05_Segment 2.aiff
   06_PSA - Salvation Army.mp3
   07_Segment 3.aiff
   08_ Close.wav
   
   
   Use two-digits as shown. That way if you get into double-digit numbers due to a large number of files, they'll still be properly arranged by PlayFolder.
   
   
   
7. The left and right arrow buttons let you flip through pages and pages of MyShow buttons, all configured exactly as you want them.
8. Assure that the following line is added at the appropriate place in the master log you will run through TuneStacker when creating the program log for the day of the special:
   
   
   PlayFolder /boot/home/Amy_Grant_Christmas
   
   
   
   
9. The left and right arrow buttons let you flip through pages and pages of MyShow buttons, all configured exactly as you want them.
10. Generate your program log for the day when the Christmas special is to be run.

If you then check your program log, you will see that all of the show elements have been gathered up and added-in automatically, in their proper order! Fast, convenient, no tedious log editing, and NO PRODUCTION required other than just gathering the necessary programming elements together.

A Bonus Tip

Packaging is IMPORTANT!  Don't just plop Christmas specials on the air. Make them your station's own! Take the time to record professional-sounding opens, closes, possibly even segues/bumpers leading back into the show segments all including your station's call letters, holiday wishes, etc. It doesn't take a ton of time to do, but it makes a world of difference when your specials actually hit the airwaves.

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